U.S. energy firms last week added oil and natural gas rigs for a record 21 months in a row as high prices and prodding by the federal government prompted some drillers to return to the wellpad. The oil and gas rig count, an early indicator of future output, rose three to 698 the week to April 29, its highest since March 2020, energy services firm Baker Hughes Co said in its closely followed report on Friday. , , Baker Hughes said that puts the total rig count up 258, or 59%, over this time last year. For the month, drillers added 28 oil and gas rigs. U.S. oil rigs rose three to 552 this week, their highest since April 2020, and were up 21 in April, […]